I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1656 - 96: Recruiting Talented People

Chapter 1656: Chapter 96: Recruiting Talented People

After delegating the tasks, Tang Luo returned to his busy academy life.

Every day, more than a hundred disciples would graduate from the Soul Casting course, turning the Unparalleled Academy into a factory mass-producing Fierce Realm warriors, with the graduation ceremony becoming a routine procedure.

The graduates would kneel and bow on the platform outside The Academy, then stand up and soar into the sky with their spiritual soul.

By the beginning of September, nearly two thousand disciples had completed the Soul Casting course and left Unparalleled City.

However, this did not alleviate Tang Luo’s pressure, since the continuous output of Fierce Realm disciples from Unparalleled Academy only increased the fascination of Xiehe’s independent cultivators with the academy.

Especially after many graduates demonstrated astonishing combat prowess, it became clear that the Soul Casting course offered by Unparalleled Academy was entirely different from the traditional families’ methods.

This left the teaching representatives from the major families in Da Lin City complaining non-stop. In the past, they could easily recruit followers with just a few temptations, attracting these shallow-minded independent cultivators.

But now, with a point of comparison, many would horizontally compare the teaching achievements of Unparalleled Academy with others.

"Can you guarantee a successful Soul Casting for a certain family?"

"After the successful Soul Casting, won’t one’s combat prowess be indistinguishable from the masses?"

These are the two questions that representatives now have to face when recruiting followers.

But to such questions, how could they dare to give a standard answer?

The major families surely have masters of martial arts and even grandmaster-level powerhouses, but what these experts truly specialize in is their own family’s martial arts techniques.

For their own offspring, even those from side branches, as long as they accumulate enough experience, they can guarantee a successful Soul Casting with confidence.

But for these outside independent cultivators practicing all sorts of non-mainstream techniques, many following only scraps of Mysterious State ancient texts with mostly Yellow Rank techniques that lead nowhere.

Even the representatives sometimes doubted whether these non-mainstream techniques stood a chance at Soul Casting, let alone give affirmative answers, so they could only beat around the bush.

"Our family has many top martial arts masters who can definitely answer sir’s questions, and furthermore, with grandmaster-level figures seated in authority, whatever Unparalleled Academy can do, our family can only do better."

Even though the representatives were adept at responding, most independent cultivators still maintained skepticism.

Recruiting followers was becoming increasingly difficult, but given the sheer number of independent cultivators, it hadn’t raised the representatives’ alarm.

However, Tang Luo once again felt the uncomfortableness of stretching too far, as after the expansion, Unparalleled City could now accommodate nearly ten thousand students. Yet within just half a month, these dormitories were filled to the brim by students who came rushing to Red Cloud Mountain from all corners of the world to enroll.

The municipal hall was certainly more than happy as massive amounts of resources flowed in every day, but Tang Luo was not so joyful.

The academy’s largest Heaven Rank amphitheater, once filled to the brim, could only accommodate over a thousand people.

An enrollment of ten thousand students meant that nearly ten classes had to be held each day, not including the time taken up by individual students’ questions.

And within The Academy, there was truly not one person suitable to be called an assistant; Du Ting could help with inspecting the disciples in seclusion but could not replace Tang Luo in lecturing.

Although he once boastfully claimed to Yun Xiu that he could teach thousands or tens of thousands of students at the Fan Stage or Fierce Realm, facing ten thousand students in reality had Tang Luo spinning like a top, his time fully occupied.

’If this continues, The Academy will truly become a soulless teaching machine. I must find a way to recruit some martial arts masters to teach together!’

Thinking about the thousands of cultivators still waiting outside Unparalleled Academy to be enrolled, Tang Luo couldn’t help but shudder without reason.

But just as he equivocated to An Yuanxi, facing an academy with nearly ten thousand students, he was indeed completely overwhelmed.

Having no alternative, he could only have Du Ting summon Du Sha and Meng Jiao to the principal’s office.

"As The Academy’s scale continues to increase, relying on only myself is no longer sustainable, so we must seek help externally."

Tang Luo told the two: "Elder Du Ting has already spread the word through Wind Media in the city, searching for those who are proficient in theoretical cultivation among independent practitioners or Titled-class Experts who aspire to this role; you two go on my behalf."

"Rest assured, Head... Principal!"

Meng Jiao confidently said, slapping his chest: "Having them come to The Academy to teach is an immense honor; even if I have to, I will bring them here tied up!"

It was quite clear that he thoroughly misunderstood the intention behind inviting talents.

Originally wanting to hit Meng Jiao on the head with a hammer, but thinking that he might not be able to handle it, Tang Luo’s mouth twitched and he waved his hand, saying: "When inviting talents, remember to treat them with courtesy, and if they are unwilling, there’s no need to force them."

"Understood."

...

Recruiting talent may sound simple, but in practice, it’s fraught with difficulties.

Even though Tang Luo had assigned the task to Du Sha and Meng Jiao, he did not have much confidence in them taking it on.

To be honest, if martial arts research lacks the support of resources, it’s merely a castle in the air.

This precisely illustrates that true martial arts researchers with capability are rarely born among independent cultivators, not to mention those Titled-class Experts flaunting their skills on the Hero’s Arenas.

But promoting talents from within the student body to become teaching assistants also seems impractical. Usually, if one is eighty percent knowledgeable, only twenty to thirty percent can be taught.

After all, martial arts are not about boasting or shooting the breeze; daring to think is not enough, a strong theoretical foundation is also necessary. And these independent cultivators come to enroll precisely because they lack such theory.

Although Tang Luo had imparted them with some essential knowledge and core content, after all, it was only suitable for their personal use and fell far short for teaching purposes.

At the very least, it would take this group of students completing the Soul Casting curriculum and then accumulating a decade or more of exploration in the Fierce Realm, achieving realm advancement, before they could use it for teaching.

But truly refined warriors of such caliber, which one wouldn’t have established their own clans or joined a major power? How many of them would come to impart knowledge as instructors?

"What a headache, the talent is all monopolized by the great families!"

Putting aside unrealistic fantasies, Tang Luo tidied up the manuscript on his desk, ready for class.

No sooner had he stepped out of the Dean’s office when he saw Du Ting approaching briskly.

"Dean, there’s been a response to the talent recruitment notice we sent out..."

"So quickly!?"

Tang Luo was somewhat surprised; his last-ditch idea had unexpectedly received the first response, which buoyed his spirits.

Seeing the Dean’s elated demeanor, Du Ting suddenly hesitated. It was naturally excellent to have someone to alleviate the Dean’s concerns, but the identity of the visitor...

"Hmm, Elder Du Ting, why such an expression? Is there something inappropriate about the candidate?"

Observing Du Ting’s conflicted look, Tang Luo thus inquired.

"Reporting to the Dean, it’s not that there’s anything wrong, it’s just that the person’s identity... It’s the Master of the Bounty Guild."

Grinding his teeth, Du Ting revealed the identity of the visitor.

The talent recruitment notice put out by Unparalleled Academy had stringent requirements; the criterion of having Martial Ancestor proficiency alone had eliminated ninety-nine percent of the lone practitioners.

But no matter how high the requirement, a pinnacle Titled-class Expert from the Fierce Realm would definitely meet the priority admission standards.

However, the visitor, Shen Tu Ji Hui, being the Bounty King of the Bounty Guild, made his identity an enigma, leaving Du Ting troubled about what his intentions were in answering this recruitment call.

"Have Master Shen Tu wait in the reception room. Once The Academy has finished teaching the class, I will come to see him."

Compared to Du Ting’s dilemma, Tang Luo appeared much more carefree. Rather than making wild guesses, it was better to meet him in person.

No matter what the other’s purpose was, as long as Tang Luo was here, nothing could be turned upside down. What was there to worry about?

...

Reception Room of Unparalleled Academy

The physically imposing and awe-inspiring Master of the Demon Slaughter Palace, with his vertical pupils, fixed his gaze onto Du Ting as if a giant python had locked onto its prey: "Did the Dean really say that?"

Unintentionally mobilizing the energy within and struggling to control his trembling spirit, Du Ting, who was being watched by Shen Tu Ji Hui, felt as though he was confronting a primordial demon.

Though he was a Martial Ancestor-tier martial artist, he was certain that if the person before him were to attack ferociously, it would only take a few exchanges before he would be slain on the spot, much like the situation he once faced with the supreme elder of the Mi Family.

This sense of powerlessness, with life and death at another’s whim... is this the might of a Titled-class Expert?

With a crystal armor summoned, Du Ting took a stance as if ready for combat and spoke with a grave voice: "If Master Shen Tu is unwilling to wait, feel free to leave. If you intend to cause trouble, Du Ting is here to accompany you!"

Startled as he may be, afraid as he may feel, as the current second strongest in The Academy, Du Ting believed he must not tarnish the reputation of Unparalleled City. Even knowing a battle would be futile, he still had to show the willingness to fight.

Vertical pupils contracting, the killing intent in Shen Tu Ji Hui’s eyes intensified. Just as Du Ting thought the other was about to make a move, and he nearly cried out for his life.

The Demon Slaughter Palace Master dissipated his imposing aura and said indifferently, "If that is the Dean’s wish, then I shall wait here."

Having spoken, Shen Tu Ji Hui closed his eyes and began to meditate and restore his spirit.

With the murderous intent gone, Du Ting’s tense body suddenly relaxed, dissipating his crystal armor and feigning composure, he said: "Then, Master, please wait here. I will have someone bring refreshments."

The Demon Slaughter Palace Master didn’t respond, but Du Ting felt no awkwardness, turning around nonchalantly and then steadily walking step by step out of the reception room.

Upon stepping through the door, his whole back slumped, his heart pounding "thump thump thump," wiping off the sweat from his hands, Du Ting left as if in escape.

After about an hour or so, having finished his class, Tang Luo arrived at the reception room. The moment he stepped inside, the Demon Slaughter Palace Master who had been meditating with closed eyes opened them, sending waves of killing intent mixed with spiritual pressure washing over the newcomer.

"Busy with classes, Master has been waiting for a while."

Unconcerned with this bit of menacing aura, Tang Luo walked over and took a seat opposite the Demon Slaughter Palace Master, smiling at Shen Tu Ji Hui who was still exuding killing intent: "This time The Academy will let it go, but if you glare again, I’ll gouge out those vertical eyes."

At first, Shen Tu Ji Hui only meant to express his impatience and dissatisfaction with his killing intent, but did not expect to be countered so directly.

What surprised him even more was that his vertical pupils’ secret technique failed to intimidate the Dean, nor could he gauge the depth of the man before him. Yet, the way the other spoke of gouging his eyes was as casual as if he were talking about going to buy vegetables at the street corner.

"Is the Dean really that confident?"

Diminishing his killing intent, Shen Tu Ji Hui asked with a smile.

"I wasn’t very confident originally."

Tang Luo shrugged, picked up the already cold tea on the table, and drank it down in one gulp, continuing in a nonchalant tone: "But Master Shen Tu is injured, after all. Since you’re here, let’s have a talk. Who could have injured the famed Demon Slaughter Palace Master of Longzhou so severely, and what made the Master leave behind the glory and wealth of Da Lin City, to come to Red Cloud, this small mountain town?"